The Healthy Planet Magazine

08/08/2025

Back-to-School Self-Care: Reset, Refocus, Rejuvenate

During the back-to-school season, it’s easy to get swept up in the chaos. Changing routines, packed calendars, and to-do lists can become overwhelming. Whether you’re a parent juggling drop-offs and extracurricular activities or a student gearing up for a new year, it’s important to remember you can’t pour from an empty cup.

Self-Care at the Spa

Sometimes, the best way to recharge is to step away. Vitality Unlimited Spa offers a peaceful haven where you can relax and reset.

Massage Therapy: Perfect for those carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders, Deep Tissue Massage works deep into muscles and connective tissues to relieve chronic tension, improve mobility, and promote deep physical and mental release. Swedish massage is a calming, restorative treatment that uses flowing strokes to ease muscle tension, boost circulation, and help you feel centered again.

Reflexology: Reflexology is a therapeutic practice that applies pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, and ears, which correspond to different organs and systems in the body. This holistic approach aims to promote relaxation, improve circulation, and enhance overall well-being.

Self-Care at Home

Make space to nurture yourself at home because a little balance goes a long way.

Practice Mindfulness: Manage stress by sitting quietly to focus on your breathing, taking movement breaks, and getting plenty of sleep. Consider incorporating guided meditation or journaling into your routine. Creative activities like drawing or writing can help calm your mind and promote positive thinking.

Protect Your Physical Well-Being: Fuel your body with balanced meals, stay hydrated, and get outside for some sunshine and activity. Schedule regular healthcare check-ups and screenings for preventative care. Incorporate simple exercises such as stretching or yoga into your daily routine to improve flexibility and reduce muscle tension.

Focus on Your Mental Health: Make connections, unplug when needed, and make time for things that bring you joy. Lean on your village when needed — whether it’s a friend, family member, or counselor, building a support system is key to maintaining balance and perspective.

Make Yourself a Priority

This season is full of demands, but your wellness matters just as much. Schedule a little “me-time” with us at Vitality Unlimited Spa, and let us help you restore your balance.

Gift Cards and Spa & Wellness Products are available in-store and online at VitalityUnlimitedSpa.com. To book your appointment, call 314.968.1808.

08/07/2025

25 Years, 135 Miles, 250 Partners Across 3 Counties: Great Rivers Greenway Marks Regional Milestone

The public agency celebrates the November 7 anniversary throughout the rest of 2025 with new projects, community celebrations, and plans to connect even more of the St. Louis region

Great Rivers Greenway, (GRG) the public agency behind the St. Louis region’s extensive greenway trail network, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025. Created by a public vote on November 7, 2000, GRG has spent the past quarter-century bringing the community’s vision to life by connecting people to nature, to one another, and to places that matter, one mile at a time.

Great Rivers Greenway is one of the only greenway projects in the United States that spans three counties and 120 municipalities, demonstrating a rare and sustained level of regional cooperation. This milestone reflects 25 years of strong public support and collaboration that has helped reshape the region. It all began with the passage of Proposition C in November 2000, which came from the community engagement surrounding the St. Louis 2004 civic effort, to both create a dedicated funding stream and establish the agency’s mandate. That vote sparked a movement to build accessible, vibrant outdoor spaces that improve daily life in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County. The vote also created a similar agency and subsequent trail network in Madison and St. Clair counties in Illinois.

Today, thanks to the 25 years of turning community input into collective impact, the greenway system features more than 135 miles of paved pathways, bringing neighborhoods together and giving more people safe places to walk, bike, run, and roll. Highlights include the 22 continuous miles that link the River des Peres Greenway to Gravois Greenway: Grant’s Trail, as well as other popular greenways like Fee Fee Greenway into Creve Coeur Park or Dardenne Greenway in St. Charles County. Many of the greenways have become favorite routes for exercise, commuting, and family outings. In 2013, voters reaffirmed their support by passing Proposition P, which both extended funding for the greenways and supported the CityArchRiver Project. The creation of the Great Rivers Greenway Foundation in 2016 added a new source of philanthropic support to help expand the network. In 2020, greenway visits increased by 50% and remain high, with over 3 million trips in 2024, showing just how deeply these spaces have become part of daily life.

GRG has planned anniversary celebrations big and small throughout the summer and fall, including partnerships with other St. Louis agencies and non-profits. Highlights are:

Bingo Cards

Greenways fans can pick up special 25th anniversary bingo cards at GRG events, programs, office or play online at www.GreatRiversGreenway.org/bingo. Players will hunt for special sights along the greenways and ways to plug in from home to mark off their cards, turning them in for special limited-edition greenway stickers (each bingo), tote bags (full card) and a few grand prize packs!

Community Dinner – The Great Gather Round

To celebrate 25 years of greenway impact with the residents of the region, Great Rivers Greenway will shut down the circle drive around the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park (at the St. Vincent Greenway) from 4:30-7pm on Monday, September 15th to make room for a 1,500-foot community dinner table and chairs! The Great Gather Round will feature local DJs, free mini cupcakes from SweetArt for everyone, local food trucks or bring your own feast, and fun for all ages. More info at www.GreatRiversGreenway.org/gather.

Collaborative Art Initiative with Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis

St. Louis’ Regional Arts Commission (RAC), the leading catalyst for arts and culture in St. Louis, is also marking an anniversary this year, their 40th. To celebrate, these two organizations have worked with the RAC’s Community Arts Training Cohort program to develop two events celebrating and supporting the arts in St. Louis. Mark your calendars for an arts and wellness festival along the St. Vincent Greenway in St. Vincent Park on September 13 and an arts and community resources festival along the Mississippi Greenway on September 27.

Civic Panel with FOCUS St. Louis

Stay tuned for more details on this joint program in early November, where a panel of both national and local experts will discuss “The Civic Power of Greenways: 25 Years of Trust, Trails & Transformation”.

Additional anniversary efforts include selfie stations on the greenways, family-friendly activities, and both in-person exhibits and social media campaigns that celebrate the people and partnerships behind the greenways.

“When we look back on 25 years, what stands out most is how people came together around a shared vision and stuck with it,” said Dr. Bernard J. DuBray, current Board President, who has served since 2009. “These greenways are not just trails. They are places where neighbors meet, kids learn to ride bikes, and communities reconnect. What started as an idea has become a way of life, and we are proud of what we’ve built together.”

Great Rivers Greenway plays a much bigger role than recreation alone. The agency has helped lead regional efforts such as the $380 million CityArchRiver Project, which reconnected Gateway Arch National Park to the riverfront, and the creation of Trojan Park in Wellston, Missouri on the St. Vincent Greenway, which earned the 2020 Urban Open Space Award for its impact and design. Greenways also support property values, attract development, improve air and water quality, and bring more green space to areas that need it most. Great Rivers Greenway actively restores habitats, implements effective stormwater management, and creates places where people can slow down, gather, and feel deeply connected to their community, such as the new destination park at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge.

Looking ahead, Great Rivers Greenway continues to build the next chapter. Mark Perkins begins August 4th as the 3rd CEO of the organization, following Susan Trautman’s long-planned retirement. 2026 will bring an update to the strategic plan (done every five years with public engagement), and seven projects in the next few years will feature bridges to further connect communities. Brickline Greenway, the 10-mile project in the City of St. Louis connecting four anchor parks and 14 neighborhoods, is well underway and on track to finish in 2030. Designed to support inclusive economic development, it reflects the agency’s growing role in shaping a more connected and resilient region. With a long-term plan to build an overall 600 miles of greenways, Great Rivers Greenway remains committed to making the St. Louis region a healthier, more vibrant place to live for generations to come.

“This anniversary is a reminder of how much we can accomplish when we work together across our region and listen to our community,” said Mark Perkins, incoming CEO at Great Rivers Greenway. “The greenways we’ve built are only the beginning of what’s possible. We’re excited for what the next 25 years will bring.”

To learn more about the anniversary events, explore greenways near you, or get involved, visit www.GreatRiversGreenway.org or follow on social media.

08/05/2025

Healing Begins When Safety Feels Real
By Dr. Gail Cloud

Our minds can be our worst enemy. We are wired to remember every negative thing that has happened to us and to remember every hurtful thing that has been said to us or has been done to us. Why? Because our old instinctive brain was made that way for our very survival. However, in order to change and to move forward in a new way in our lives, we have to be able to rein in and control those thoughts and metabolize them and release them. Yes, this is much easier said than done. The key is to become safe in our own bodies and our own selves.

Safety is the key because when we are hurt or we are abused or when bad things happen to us, we don’t feel safe. Imagine as a small child, even a baby, when you might not know when your next meal is coming. When you may not know who is going to walk into your room. When you hear gunshots or bombs outside your door, or even inside your house. When your mother or father or caretaker gets ill or dies. When there are people fighting around you or arguing, or the rules keep changing, and on and on. There are too many examples of trauma. The more that we experience in this vain, the more we are affected. Our nervous system is ready to run and/or to fight. We become hyper aware so that we can be prepared for what is going to happen next.

The answer is so easy to say. Create new experiences. Become attracted to people and situations that are calm, peaceful, self-aware. Trust our instincts and our bodies. And that is a tough road to take because we learned not to trust and we learned to become aware of other people’s needs so that we could be “safe” and lose connection with our own instincts and bodies. Boundaries weren’t honored. Yet, that is the answer. Sometimes we have to start so small, like by waking up and asking ourselves what our body needs. Do we need to go to the bathroom, do we need to eat, to clean our bodies? And then we take the next step, and then the next, and so on.

What is important to remember is that even though it is very difficult to do these things, they can be done, and we can change.

We could even begin by constantly asking ourselves this question, “Does this feel safe? Does this person or situation feel safe?” If not, step away. Our brains are plastic and capable of change. We just have to exercise it.

Please feel free to contact me if you would like help with this process and set up an appointment. Call, 314-995-9755, or email me, [email protected].

And my book is on my website and on Amazon. Check it out and the Journal that I wrote to go with it; Therapist’s Daughter. It is a story of my journey back to myself.

Gail Cloud, D.C.
Healing the Root of the Matter
BodyPresencing; be-ing through presence

08/04/2025

What’s Fresh: Pawpaw magic coming to Ferguson for the Second Annual Pawpaw Fest!
Pawpaw Fest
By Jess Coffin

What’s fresh in Missouri in August? Yup! It’s the “Missouri banana,” aka the pawpaw!

Missouri’s favorite funky fruit is getting the star treatment at Ferguson’s 2nd Annual Pawpaw Fest, hosted by EarthDance Organic Farm School and the Ferguson Farmers Market on Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 8 a.m. to Noon! The fest promises a flavorful, educational, and quirky (like the fruit!) celebration of the largest edible fruit native to North America.

Pawpaws’ creamy, custard-like flesh tastes like a tropical mashup of banana, mango, and melon — but they grow wild in Missouri woods, not the rainforest. And, believe it or not, they are classified as berries! EarthDance will offer multiple varieties of fresh pawpaws at the fest, each with its own unique flavor notes – some a bit more citrusy, others leaning nutty or vanilla-like.

EarthDance growers and Forest ReLeaf of Missouri tree experts will be on hand info for aspiring backyard or community orchard growers, and there will even be pawpaw seedlings available. You’ll also learn about the fruit’s ancient roots. Pawpaw trees date back over 50 million years and once fed megafauna like mastodons, who helped spread their seeds across the continent with a little help from their digestive systems. Today, pawpaws are still a favorite snack for opossums, raccoons, foxes, and other forest critters who follow their noses to the fruit’s ripe, tropical scent.

Pawpaw blossoms are considered botanically “perfect.” This means each deep burgundy blossom has all of the necessary parts to reproduce. They are protogynous, which means they are one s*x when they open, then they transition to another as part of their natural developmental process. They’re pollinated not by bees but by flies. Since flies aren’t always reliable, some growers hang rotting meat from branches to attract the flies, or hand-pollinate with paintbrushes. “We hand pollinate, but we haven’t tried hanging meat yet,” Production Manager, farmer, and educator Will Delacey says. “As a teaching farm, it seems like an experiment we need to try though.”

Of course, the festival is also about flavor. Treats will include pawpaw ice cream sandwiches from Sugarwitch, pawpaw beer from Natural History Brewing, and pawpaw kombucha from Confluence Kombucha. And more local vendors will join the fun with pawpaw-forward pancakes, sauces, baked goods, and more.

For anyone who wants to bring the taste home, a pawpaw ice cream recipe is included in this edition of the Ferguson Neighborhood News – just right for making your own creamy pawpaw treat after the fest.

Kids and curious adults can enjoy hands-on pawpaw activities throughout the morning, and taste this short-season fruit rarely found in a grocery store while it lasts — it ripens for just a few precious weeks each year.

Whether you’re a pawpaw pro or a curious first-timer, come out to the Ferguson Farmers Market for a fruity morning of flavor, folklore, and fun.

Pawpaw Fest 2025

📅 Saturday, August 23 | 🕗 8 AM – 12 PM

📍 Ferguson Farmers Market, 501 S Florissant Rd

🥭 Admission is free, and everyone is welcome.

08/03/2025

ARTful Living
St. Louis Shines with Summer Art and Culture
By Michelle “Mike” Ochonicky, Healthy Planet Arts Editor

Artwork: A Place Called Dark Black, by Torkwase Dyson, at Mildred Lane Kemper Museum.

As a general rule, I do not include classes in this column. However, once in a while, something comes along that really deserves attention, and that “something” is Pack Dance. Offering classes from birth (with caregivers) through age 19 and even adult opportunities, Pack Dance has no requirements for previous dance experience, dance attire or shoes, with scholarship funding available, in order to eliminate any barriers for participation. Get up and move with classes beginning August 18 at 465 N. Taylor. www.packdance.org

Sometimes it takes out-of-town visitors for us StL residents to really see this great city. Better yet, just book a walking tour on any Saturday morning (9:30 a.m.-noon) with Landmarks Walking Tours. Learn abShaout the art and architecture of St. Louis on the East tour (includes Eads Bridge, Old Courthouse, Cathedral and Post Office, Wainwright Building) or West tours (Union Station, Stifel Theatre, Campbell House, Main Library, Soldiers Memorial). You’ll stroll about two and a half miles (great exercise!) with a knowledgeable guide and learn about StL landmarks. Tours offered through October 25. www.landmarks-stl.org/events-2/tours/

Third Degree Glass’s End of Summer Bash (August 15, 6-10 p.m.) offers a “smashing” good time for the family, at 5200 Delmar. This is your chance to smash some glass (really!!) in a carnival-like setting (and safe environment). The Woodaddies perform live music. Meet Columbus, Ohio artist William Ortman and view his works in Viscera and Vision: The Art of Organic Illumination, on view through August 31 in the Third Degree Gallery. www.thirddegreeglassfactory.com

If you miss Union Avenue Opera’s performance of Josephine and Pagliacci on August 1-2, plan to attend Richard Strauss’ Salome, August 15-16, 22-23, conducted by Scott Schoonover and directed by longtime UAO collaborator Mark Freiman at 733 N. Union. This one-act psychological thriller has not been performed in St. Louis for 16 years. www.unionavenueopera.org

Through August 15, visit Webster Arts, 2 Summit Avenue, to see Open Theme Annual 2025, a juried exhibition of works by national and local artists. Also in August, Webster Arts hosts Humans of St. Louis, a training session to teach interviewing skills, prior to the What’s Their Story? exhibition opening August 22, showcasing in print and images, the interviews conducted by participants. Culminating on August 31, a panel including Patrick Murphy (PBS producer, artist, author), Jaimie Mowers (Webster-Kirkwood Times editor) and Lindy Drew (HOSTL founder) discusses the documentary project. www.webster-arts.org

Opening August 17 at Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, on Washington U’s campus, is Let Us Feel the Heartbreak: Contemporary Art and the Environment, multiple works by various artists inspired by Andrea Bowers‘s installation. www.kemperartmuseum.wustl.edu/

Laumeier Sculpture Park, 12580 Rott Road, announces the sculptural installation, Passage by Renata Cassiano Alverez, August 23-December 15. The Mexican-born artist will speak at noon during the opening reception. www.laumeier.org

Keep those little ones (ages 2-7) ARTfully busy on August 9, 10-11:30 a.m. at the Contemporary Art Museum’s Play Date: Shape Study. It’s free and family-friendly, at 3750 Washington. www.camstl.org

COCA presents fully-inclusive, afternoon and evening performances of Seussical Jr. in its Berges Theatre, 6880 Washington, August 8-10. Delightful for all ages! www.cocastl.org

In case you didn’t get enough of the Bard, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival brings a 90-minute condensed version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream to area parks in Missouri and Illinois in its

Parks Tour. Starting August 16 at 6:30 in Missouri Botanical Garden, performances are held at different locations (check the website), finishing on September 13 in Grand Center at Strauss Park. All performances begin at 6:30 p.m., except for 3 p.m. on September 13. www.stlshakes.org

Don’t let summer pass without an evening (or two!) at the Muny in Forest Park. La Cage Aux Folles runs August 8-14; Jersey Boys, August 18-24, and special concert Diana Ross with Jon Batiste on August 28. www.muny.org

Check out Slam Underground: Celestial at the St. Louis Art Museum, August 29, 7-10 p.m. This free event welcomes guests 18+ to dance the night away with a live DJ and ARTful activities exploring astronomy and astrology, with cosmic cocktails available for purchase. www.slam.org

At this time when funding to so many wonderful ARTS institutions is at serious risk, please consider giving your support (through membership or donation) to the ARTful organizations that strive to keep culture alive in our community.

08/02/2025

Crossing Back to Health with Natural Remedies for Relief from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Dr Amy Davis

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic digestive disorder affecting millions worldwide. Characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. IBS can greatly impact quality of life. While traditional medicine often focuses on symptom management through pharmaceuticals, many individuals are turning to natural approaches for longer-term relief and better gut health. In my clinic Irritable Bowel is easily controlled with natural approaches.

Dietary changes are among the most effective natural treatments. Identifying and eliminating food sensitivities like gluten or dairy is frequently helpful. Adding more fiber—particularly soluble fiber found in foods like oats, flaxseed, and chia—can help regulate bowel movements. However, dietary needs vary from person to person, which is why individualized strategies are essential.

Probiotics and gut-supportive supplements are another helpful tool. Specific strains of probiotics can restore balance in gut flora, which is often disrupted in those with IBS. Digestive enzymes, peppermint oil capsules, and herbal blends like ginger and turmeric can also reduce inflammation and soothe the digestive tract.

Stress management is critical, as the brain-gut connection plays a major role in IBS flare-ups. Natural therapies such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and cognitive behavioral therapy have been proven to ease symptoms by calming the nervous system and reducing the body’s stress response. There are also herbals that can block the stress response, calming but not sedating to the individual.

Lifestyle modifications—including regular exercise, adequate sleep, and staying hydrated—support the body’s overall ability to process food and eliminate waste efficiently.

Though natural treatments can be highly effective, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. IBS is a complex condition, and understanding your unique triggers and imbalances is key to finding lasting relief.

At Crossing Back to Health, we specialize in personalized, holistic treatment plans tailored to your body’s needs. Our functional medicine approach looks at the root causes of IBS—hormonal imbalances, food sensitivities, microbiome disruptions, emotional stress—and creates an individualized path to healing. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or have struggled with IBS for years, we’re here to help you take back control of your digestive health naturally.

Ready to feel like yourself again? Contact Crossing Back to Health today to schedule your consultation and discover a personalized strategy for lasting relief from IBS.

We are accepting new patients and would be happy to assist you to achieve a healthier life.

Dr. Amy Davis M.D.
Crossing Back to Health
485 Wildwood Parkway Suite 2
Ballwin, MO 63011
636 778-9158
www.crossingbacktohealth.com

08/01/2025

The August issue of The Healthy Planet Magazine is now available online and in print. For online go to www.thehealthyplanet.com. For a location of a print edition email me at [email protected] and I'll let you know where the nearest location to you is. We are in over 35 Dierbergs, Schnucks and Straubs, and 150 other locations.

07/26/2025

07/25/2025

A Community Within My Mind
By Jasmin Acosta, Healthy Planet Staff Writer

Within the walls of my mind, I live in my ideal world.

Where nature brings me solace,

The chirping of birds eases my racing mind,

And the air carries the smell of freshly trimmed trees.

Where my neighbors and I share not only resources,
But stories, cultures, and dreams,
Promoting the beauty of our diversity.

A community empowered to make a difference,

Where freedom of expression is embraced,
Where every voice is heard,
And our compassion binds us to one another.

I once lived in this world within the walls of my mind,
Until I began to dismantle the barriers that held this world in internal confinement.

One by one, each wall was torn down,
And I used my voice to start to build my community.

The voices of my community members have built a world that once lived in my imagination.

Now it is real, alive, and shared.

07/24/2025

Can You Hear Bee Now?
By Sarah Wilson, Healthy Planet Staff Writer

Bees go flower to flower randomly, right? Flowers can’t do anything special to attract bees other than bloom, right?

Wrong.

Flowers are active participants in their own pollination because they can hear. Or rather, they can detect sound. And once certain sounds are detected, they can react. Which sounds trigger such reactions? The buzz of a bee. When a flower senses a bee near, it goes to work, and within three minutes, it can produce more and sweeter nectar.

Abundant and tastier nectar can keep a bee rummaging around on that flower for longer. Longer pollinator visits tend to mean better pollination. And that’s the goal. So, once a flower becomes aware of the bee, it works quickly to roll out the welcome mat.

How does a flower detect sound?

Through vibration-sensitive cells on their petals. To the best of my knowledge, only snapdragons and evening primroses have been studied so far, but both have these cells.

Enterprising scientists observed petals through optical microscopes and saw them react to bee recordings.

Then they checked their work. They played sounds of animals who did not pollinate the flowers. Did they see any reaction? None. They double-checked the source of the change by removing the petals. Without petals, the flowers did not react to the bees.

But if sweeter nectar is so good, why not make it extra yummy all the time?

Because making nectar is expensive. It can take more than 35% of a flower’s energy to produce, which means they need to be tactical about it. No reason to waste precious resources making super delicious bee beverages if no bees are nearby.

Also, what if a constant supply of such an extra sweetness attracted herbivores? I have no proof for this but I do know deer lick at hummingbird feeders and eat fallen fruit, so they have a sweet tooth. Also, our white-tailed have more olfactory receptors than a bloodhound, meaning they absolutely could detect a sweeter flower, which would be catastrophic for the plant.

A much better plan is for the flower to lie low until it knows a pollinator is near. And that is precisely what they do.

Nature is amazing!